“Our vision was to build a world-class innovation center to be the core of our organization,” says Blue Pacific Flavors CEO Donald Wilkes. “It is a reflection of the food manufacturing renaissance taking place in southern California and our commitment to meet the needs of a growing organic flavors business.” 

The opening comes after a US$1.5m expansion that doubled the space to 3,100 square feet. The center will increase the companys application, creation, sensory testing and compliance capabilities for natural and organic flavor and finished food development. 

The investment includes new equipment such as a pilot spray dryer and Kardex Remstar high-density storage for flavors and raw materials. 

The facility provides a collaborative space for Blue Pacific Flavors clients to create clean label, plant-based, natural and organic food and beverage applications. 

Processing capabilities include a MicroThermics Steam Injection System with in-line homogenization and UHT clean-fill to provide a streamlined path to market for new food and beverage products.

The company has added staff in regulatory and quality control and plans to hire additional positions in research and development. The next phase of the investment will include the purchase of additional analytical equipment to support enhanced food safety and quality testing.

Blue Pacific develops natural, organic and organic compliant fruit and sweet flavors for a broad range of food applications including beverages, fruit preparations, dairy, plant-based milk, ice cream, frozen desserts, bakery and nutritional foods and confectionery products. The companys Farm Stand Whole Fruit portfolio includes natural and plant-based flavors that use name whole fruit extractives as the largest ingredient by weight and are free from chemical solvents.